Firefighters Battle Two Wildfires in B.C.'s Southeast

Wildfire personnel are responding to two fires in the Southeast Fire Centre, one near Midway and the other in Kokanee Creek Provincial Park.

According to the BC Wildfire Management Branch, a three-hectare fire is burning near Ingram Creek, which is located about five kilometres north of the village of Midway. No structures are threatened by this fire at this time. There are 25 firefighters, three helicopters, and an air tanker working on fire suppression. A water tender is also on site and a fire guard is being established around the perimeter of the fire. Smoke is visible from Midway, Greenwood and along Highway 3. It's suspected that this fire was caused by lightning.

The current wildfire situation in the province (Photo Credit: BC Gov)

Another three-hectare wildfire is burning near Kokanee Creek, east of Nelson, and no structures are immediately threatened by this fire either. A 20-person unit crew is being supported by local firefighters and four Air Tractor “Fire Boss” amphibious air tankers are dropping water, foam, and retardant on the fire. Fire crews are travelling to the fire site on the Kokanee Creek Forest Service Road and the West Kokanee Forest Service Road. The BC Wildfire Service is asking the public to avoid these access points.

The current fire danger rating in the Southeast Fire Centre is "moderate" or "high", with some pockets rated "extreme" near Midway, Grand Forks, Kaslo and Revelstoke.